How To Practice Good Business Card Etiquette

I’m preparing to attend and present at the Admin Pro Forum event in Orlando, Florida next week. It reminded me that when we attend a major conference we have the opportunity to meet so many great people. We will be exchanging quite a few business cards at this upcoming event.
Did you know there are etiquette rules for giving and receiving cards? It’s true! Here are a few pointers that can be helpful when you are networking and meeting people:

Treat your business card as a representation of you. I suggest getting a business card case. First, it’s an attractive container for your cards. Second, it will protect them from smudges, bending or having a dog-eared look – which can leave a less-than-best impression.

Treat others’ cards as a representation of them. Receive the card. Take a moment to look at it carefully. Try to remember the person’s first name. Make a positive comment if the card is designed well. Store it carefully.

Avoid writing on business cards. It may be tempting to jot down a few notes on the front or back of cards you receive so you can remember what you discussed with the person. Don’t, if you can help it! If business cards represent people, then writing on them can leave a bad impression. It is an insult to do so in some cultures – the equivalent of writing on a person’s face (really!).

Hand over your card with purpose. Be sure the printed information on the card faces the other person (in other words, it’s upside-down to you). Some people exchange cards as if it is not an occasion to be remembered. Try to make your card exchange memorable!

There are many books that discuss this etiquette point. I hope these brief refreshers help you to network even more effectively and with even better results!

Will we see you at the Admin Pro event next week? Comment below and let us know.
Joan Burge

Comments

I really like your tip to treat your business card as a representation of you. I think that’s a good way to think about them when you’re designing and printing them too. It takes a lot of effort to keep yourself up, so you should put the same amount of effort into representing yourself. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the suggestions, Joan. When I attended your conference a few years ago, there was one person who was going around from table to table, giving out her cards to everyone without any sort of introduction of herself, and asking for cards from everyone in return at each table. She made no attempt at really making a connection with anyone that I saw. It seemed more like a contest to see who could collect the most cards. And, of course, I never heard from her again after the conference. It was a true demonstration of how NOT to exchange business cards.

Katherine, I still see this happening at networking events today! Here are a few reasons why this doesn’t work.

1. There is no relationship or rapport established.
2. When I think of vendors I need to call upon her name doesn’t come up for me. I can’t even recall her name because I barely met her. The people who I built relationships with are remembered.
3. I am more likely to ask people I know who they trust for a referral rather than ring someone up just because I have a copy of their business card.
4. It leaves a negative impression with the people you meet. It says that you didn’t value them as a person to even try to get to know them for a few minutes.

This type of “networking” behavior needs to stop. It’s embarrassing. People aren’t impressed with your networking skills when you do this. Thanks for bringing this point up as well, Katherine. It’s one of my pet peeves at events.

Patti, I had them throughout my administrative career over 18 years. I used them often. I do a lot of networking and relationship building with others within my company as well as my community. It speaks to your level of professionalism when you have a card to leave with someone you’ve just met. You can have your own printed if your company doesn’t do them. Don’t try to emulate the company card, simply design your own and have them available to use as needed.

I also tuck them into cards and personal notes that I mail to people. That way if they wish to save my info they have it all on the card.

This was perfect timing for me! I will be receiving my first business cards (not for work but for the organization I volunteer for) and now I will have advance notice of the correct handling for these! Thank you!!